Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-06-10

Springs il conducted into n covered, ait
tight reservoir, and thence conducted by
pipes to the different bath houses. The
method OF storing the water aud conduct
ing it 10 the bath tubs is 80 well man
aged that bathcrs can take baths at what
ever temperature their physicians may
prescribe. BY reason OF the vapor that
arises from the Springs, and the creek
which is their outlet, the place is often
called the "Nalley OF Vapors." On cool
morning il is a strange sight 10 see the
vapor rise, till the valley and cling TO The
mountain side. The water, though clear
as crystal, makes deposit of silver and
mngnesia, and .he mountain side below
the Springs is covered with large masses
OF tufa, rock-like in appearance, but por-
ous and light. 1t is supposed that this
tufa, having accumulated, formed in the
early days Il dam across the creek, thus
forming lake-as De Soto and his party
are reported TO have cnmped at some "Hot
Lakes" during their journey Of discovery
in these western wilds. The Springs are
owned by the United States Government,
having been set apart as a reservation tho
Hot Springs Mountain and all the land
from whence flows the hot water. II has
lis agent here, WHO is superintendent Of
the reservation and manager oil the hot
water and the government bath house,
where free baths can be had by the invalid
poor. This reservation in time will be
made beautiful park. Some improve
ments have already been made. A fine
carriage drive has been laid up and around
the mountain, along which magnificent
views Of the surrounding country may be
had.
The Government has not only reserved
the Hot Springs for the benefit OF all it's
subjecls, but it has placed its estimate on
the value of these waters by erecting
large, handsome hospital buildings for the
army and navy. Already over 100000
have been expended. When the buildings
are completed il will be one of the finest
and best equipped hospitals in the world.
Around the Springs has sprung up n
"charmingly novel, quaint and romantic
city," having a population of about 5000,
and called Hot Springs. The streets fol-
low the valleys and ravines, and in the
southern part OF the city stretch on. over
a wide expanse OF open country, where the
city finally will have its real growth and
development. The principal street is
three miles long, winding around the Hot
Springs Mountain, and is in shape like a
horse shoe. Through the central part oi
this avenue flows the Hot Springs Creek
Two years ago this creek was open, bu
the Government has had il arched over
1 so that what was once wild mountain
gorge is now a fine, wide avenue and prom
enade. 1t is on this central avenue the
bath houses, principal business houses and
hotels are to he found The city in ap-
pearance at first sight is disappointing
This is true in n certain sense, and the
reason is, il had manv drawbacks in tbs
early days. Most of the land was subject
to litigation. Owners OF property hardly
knew whether the land on which they
built was theirs or not. The result wal
they reiralned from putting up any very
substantial buildings or expending mucl
money on improvements. This state o
things continued until about four year,
ago, when the Government sent out COM
mIssioners TO investigate matters, adIudi
cate claims and award titles. Since thei
the progress of the city has been great
The sound oil the hammer and The saw
was TO be heard on all sides, building
rapidly sprarg up and solid and subs,an
tal Improvements became the order o
the day. Streets were graded, sidewalk
land, street cara, water works, gas. III,
electric light and the telephone were in
troduced. This work of improvement
still continues. Hundreds of lahorers ar
employed all the year round on The street
cutting down hills, filling up holnws AM
establishing Uniform grade. During th
past year sewer system was laid in tn
principal part OF the city. Ii is one O
the finest in the Suntli. The main Rcwe
pipe was carried out two miles below tn
city, emptying into creek which flow
into the Onachitn River, so that the sani
lary condition Of the city is all that cnul
be desired. The cost of this Improvement
alone was $50 900. Thus the place
rapidly improving. There is sill muc
, To he done, but ii il being done, and j
time Hot Springs will be city fair I
: look upon.
OF course the great attraction here
, the hot water. Not only has it draw
around il large, thriving town, hut il al
80 attracts thousands of visitors annunll
from every State and Territory, from Can
: ada and other countries. The people VIII
come here are the hest in the land, as wei
/, NJ the worst the rich and tile poor, and
is reported that OF the thousands Of invH
lids who come here during the year,
! per cent. OF the number are cured. Ant
notwithstanding its remoteness from I'll
great CenterS OF population, the place
growing, year by year, in popularity ms
health resort. AT this writing the trai,
I are bringing in daily many vislors, for
is now "lhe season" At Hot Springs. Til
hotels are filling up, the streets Al
lhronged, ,.and present varied and anI
. mated scene. Whatever Hot Springs WI
, few years Hgo, however rough, whatey'
bad name il had abroad, all that has bee
/, changed. The city having emerged fro
It's rough frontier existeace, and havin
overcome the drawbacks Of its early hist
ry is now peaceful and orderly. No OF
/ need think il rough frontier town. II
] so no longer. 1t ii thriving, peaceful
well-ordered city, Offering many adval
tages TO the sick and infrm, and 10 tho